Cold sores
…that we just had to share with you!
Secret chowder swap
“There’s nothing I love more than whipping up a steaming pot of rich and creamy chowder on a snowy evening,” shares Charles Grayauskie, FIRST associate food editor. “This deliciously filling meal is always a big hit with my loved ones—and they have zero idea I skip the cream and butter! To make a lightened-up version of my favorite potato and Cheddar chowder, I swap out the heavy cream for whole milk and then add 1 Tbs. of flour to thicken it. That’s less than half the calories, but the taste is still so delicious—it’s pure comfort by the spoonful!”
Cozy knit “vases”
“I was recently going through my old knits and scarves, and rather than tossing them out, I decided to give them new life!” smiles Lauren Blum, FIRST assistant editor. “My idea? Turn a few knits into sweet planter cozies that warm up any gray corner! For each, I cut a long piece of a sweater or scarf to fit around a plant’s plastic pot, then wrap the piece around the pot until it’s entirely covered. To finish, I secure the fabric in place with a few straight pins. They add an instant hit of happy to my table!”
Cute cork key IDs
“I have so many keys floating around the house, and I can never find the right one when I need it,” sighs Patty Bontekoe, FIRST executive editor. “So I came up with these cork key IDs to help me keep track! To make: I paint stripes onto the ends of a cork and stencil on a letter to denote the person or room the key belongs to. Then I twist a screw eye into one end and attach a key ring—so easy!”
Tea lover’s best friend
“When the air turns frigid, you can find me under a blanket with a mug of tea,” says Melissa D’Agnese, FIRST senior editor. “So I flipped as soon as I saw this long-necked cutie: a tea infuser that makes the perfect cup in no time!” (Baby Nessie, $14, OtotoDesign.com)
Décor delight
“As a huge fan of the hit HGTV show Fixer Upper, I couldn’t wait to pick up host Joanna Gains’ new book!” exclaims Maggie Dillard FIRST editorial assistant. “Her passion for turning houses into welcoming homes is reflected on every page, with easy tips for creating beautiful rooms based on your personality. The guide even comes with the tear-out templates, so you can sketch your design and watch your décor dreams come to life—I can’t wait to get started on my own!”